April 8, 2022

Newark Man Found Guilty of Triple Homicide Sentenced to 375 Years in New Jersey State Prison

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Jeremy Arrington, 32, of Newark was sentenced to 375 years for murdering three people and attempting to murder three more after becoming enraged over a Facebook comment.

The Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the judge who presided over Arrington’s 10-day jury trial, gave Arrington three consecutive life sentences for fatally stabbing two young siblings, Ariel Little Whitehurst, a seven-year-old female, and her 11-year-old brother, Al-Jahon Whitehurst, as well as shooting to death, Syasia McBurroughs, a 23-year-old friend of the family who was just visiting on November 5, 2016.

On March 4, Arrington was convicted of 28 counts, including three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, burglary, criminal restraint, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a knife, and possession of a handgun and a knife for an unlawful purpose.

In addition to the three consecutive life sentences for murder, today, Judge Wigler imposed consecutive 50-year sentences for each of the three attempted murder convictions for the surviving victims. Under the No Early Release Act, Arrington would have to serve a total of 281 years of his 375-year sentence before being eligible for parole.

Under New Jersey law, a life sentence is 75 years. A defendant sentenced to life must serve 63 years and nine months before he is eligible for parole.

On Saturday Nov. 5, 2016 Arrington unlawfully entered the Whitehurst home located in the 100 block of Hedden Terrace in Newark while armed with a loaded firearm. The evidence at trial revealed Arrington then tied up the individuals located inside the apartment and proceeded to torture them by stabbing them with kitchen knives. The stabbings resulted in the death of the two children. The defendant then shot and killed McBurroughs, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The children were pronounced dead at University Hospital. Three other stabbing victims were saved by emergency medical personnel. One of the survivors of the stabbing, a 29-year-old female, is the mother of the two murdered children. The other two surviving stab victims, a 13-year-old male and his twin 13-year-old sister, were siblings of the 29-year-old female. Police were able to respond because a young girl with autism, who is unrelated to the family and was just visiting, escaped and called for help from her phone in a closet.

Arrington fled the scene before the police were able to apprehend him. Arrington was captured the next day, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 barricaded in a residence in the 200 block of Pomona Avenue.

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Chelsea Coleman, argued for six consecutive life sentences given the number of people who were tortured and killed and Arrington’s lengthy prior criminal record. From 2006 to 2016, the year of the triple homicide, Arrington was arrested ten times. He had four felony convictions and had three different pending charges when he entered the Whitehurst home that day in November.

Following the sentencing, Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab, said, “Justice has been served. This defendant is pure evil and clearly deserves all 375 years in New Jersey State Prison for the terrible crimes he committed on Nov. 5, 2016. These families have waited over 5 years for this moment, and we are all so grateful for this sentence. Thank you to all those who helped bring this defendant to justice and thank you to the jury for holding this defendant accountable.”

Assistant Prosecutor Coleman said, “While nothing can bring back the lives of Ariel, Al-Jahon, and Syasia, we hope today’s sentence will provide some sense of closure to their families.”

Man Convicted of Triple Murder

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jeremy Arrington, 31, of a triple murder. He was convicted of murdering a female college student as well as two children.

The two children, Ariel Little Whitehurst, a seven year-old, and her 11-year-old brother, Al-Jahon Whitehurst, were stabbed to death by the defendant. The third victim, Syasia McBurroughs, 23, an adult female, was shot to death.

Late yesterday, following a ten-day jury trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, J.S.C., Arrington was convicted of 28 counts, including the three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, burglary, criminal restraint, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a knife, and possession of a handgun and a knife for an unlawful purpose.

At trial the State presented 25 witnesses, including 9 expert witnesses, and successfully argued that on the afternoon of Saturday Nov. 5, 2016 Arrington unlawfully entered the Whitehurst home located in the 100 block of Hedden Terrace in Newark while armed with a loaded firearm. The proofs revealed Arrington then tied up the individuals located inside the apartment and proceeded to torture them by stabbing them with kitchen knives. The stabbings resulted in the death of the two children. The defendant then shot and killed the adult female. The children were pronounced dead at University Hospital and the adult female was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency medical personnel were able to save three of the stabbed victims. The surviving victims of the stabbings included a 29-year-old female, a 13-year-old male and a 13-year-old female, who are twins. According to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Chelsea Coleman, the police were able to respond before more lives were lost as a result of young girl with autism who escaped and called for help from her phone in a closet.
“The loss of three lives and the anguish caused by this defendant is unfathomable,” said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab.
Arrington subsequently fled the scene before the police were able to apprehend him. Shortly before 8 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 Arrington was discovered barricaded in a residence in the 200 block of Pomona Avenue and stated he had a hostage. Police discovered that the hostage allegation was false and Arrington was arrested without incident.

The attack was apparently prompted by a comment on Facebook.

“We are forever grateful to the courageous survivors and witnesses who testified as well as the investigative personnel who helped bring this defendant to justice. Hopefully this verdict will bring some form of justice to all of the families and friends affected by this defendant’s horrific actions” stated Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab

Sentencing is scheduled for April 8 before the Judge Wigler. Arrington faces multiple life sentences

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 23, of Orange on three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of three young women he killed between August and November 2016 and the kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder of a fourth woman.

“This defendant somehow thought that he could kill these women without anyone caring. The investigation undertaken by our office, in cooperation with others in law enforcement, makes clear that those of us in law enforcement would not allow that to happen,’’ said Acting Prosecutor’s Stephens. “The jury’s verdict makes clear the community would not either. Every victim is important, and we pursue each case was an unwavering commitment to produce the best outcome possible based on the evidence we can gather.’’

After a two-month trial, the jury took less than three hours to find Wheeler-Weaver guilty on all counts, including three counts of murder for killing Sarah Butler, 20, Robin West, 19, and Joanne Brown, 33.

In addition to the murder counts, Wheeler-Weaver was also found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of a 34-year-old woman who survived the attack. The jury also convicted him of three counts of desecration of human remains and aggravated arson.

Butler, a Montclair resident who was attending Jersey City University was murdered on Nov. 22, 2016. Her body was found in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange on Dec. 1, 2016.
Brown of Newark was murdered on Oct. 22, 2016. Her body was found in a vacant home in Orange on Dec. 5, 2016.

West, a native of Philadelphia who was living in Union Township, was murdered on Sept. 1, 2016 in Orange. Wheeler-Weaver set fire to her body and then torched the vacant home.

“Three years ago, three families suffered the terror of a missing loved one, followed by the horror and loss of learning they had been murdered. The survivor suffered a horrible trauma, from which she continues to recover. For the past three years, we have worked to win justice for these women. The jury has now delivered that justice on behalf of our community,” said Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Mira Ohm.
“We thank the jury for their tremendous service. This result could not have happened without the cooperation of members of the law enforcement community as well as the victims’ friends and family who worked with us in solving these heinous crimes,” said Assistant Prosecutor Ohm.
Acting Prosecutor Stephens thanked all the law enforcement agencies that worked so closely with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on this case. He extended a special thanks to Sergeant Christopher Smith of the ECPO, Lieutenant Michael Krusznis of the Newark Police Department, ECPO Captain Thomas Kelly, retired ECPO Sergeant Paul Sarbando and ECPO Detective Mario Suarez.

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Gregory Bentley, 24, was sentenced to 26 years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

On April 20, an Essex County jury convicted Bentley of attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons charges. The case was tried by Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards.

The crime occurred on Jan. 18, 2016. Bentley, who has lived in Newark and Irvington, and three unindicted co-conspirators forced their way into the Top Dog variety store on Clinton Avenue in Newark. They tried to rob the store clerk and his friend at gunpoint and fired multiple shots at both victims. The defendant eventually forced his way into the back office where he shot the store clerk 15 times, several of those being inflicted as he stood over the victim who lay wounded and bleeding on the floor.
The store clerk was hospitalized for three months, underwent numerous surgeries and survived, according to Assistant Prosecutor Edwards.
Bentley was identified because he got trapped inside the store. There was no rear exit. Surveillance video captured the shooting. After the victim regained consciousness, he identified Bentley as a store customer and the primary actor in the robbery and shooting.
“Yesterday’s sentence reflects how heinous this robbery and attempted murder truly were. While nothing can make up for what happened to these victims, I hope this brings some closure as they continue to heal physically and emotionally from this horrific event,” said Assistant Prosecutor Edwards.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Gregory Bentley, 24, of attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons charges following a trial before the Honorable Marysol Rosero, Judge of the Superior Court.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards, who tried the case, on Jan. 18, 2016, Bentley, who has lived in Newark and Irvington, and three unindicted co-conspirators forced their way into the Top Dog variety store on Clinton Avenue in Newark.

They tried to rob the store clerk and his friend at gunpoint and fired multiple shots at both victims. The defendant eventually forced his way into the back office where he shot the store clerk 15 times, several of those being inflicted as he stood over the victim who lay wounded and bleeding on the floor.

The store clerk was hospitalized for three months, underwent numerous surgeries and survived.

“This was a brutal attack and it was nothing short of a miracle that the victim survived 15 gunshot wounds. We will be seeking a significant prison sentence as is necessary with this sort of senseless violence,” said Assistant Prosecutor Edwards.

Bentley was identified because he got trapped inside the store because there was no rear exit. Surveillance video captured the shooting. After the victim regained consciousness, he indicated that he was familiar with Bentley, regular a customer. The victim identified him as the primary actor in the robbery and shooting.

Bentley, who was convicted of attempted murder, first degree robbery, second degree aggravated assault, second degree burglary, second degree unlawful possession of handgun, second degree robbery and second degree conspiracy, faces 30 years in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 13 before Judge Rosero.

Man Charged with Killing Three, Injuring Three

Newark – ActingEssex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that Jeremy Arrington, 26, of Newark has been charged in a triple homicide in which a young college student, who was visiting the family, and two children were fatally stabbed.

Arrington, who is in custody, has been charged with three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, criminal restraint, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a knife, and possession of a handgun and a knife for an unlawful purpose.

It is alleged that on Saturday afternoon Arrington went to a home in the 100 block of Hedden Terrace in Newark and fatally stabbed three individuals. There were a total of nine people in the home at the time – four adults and five children. Arrington was known to the family. After the attack Arrington fled.

Shortly before 8 p. m., on Sunday, Nov. 6, Arrington was discovered barricaded in a residence in the 200 block of Pomona Avenue.  Just after 9 p.m., Arrington was arrested without incident. The arrest was carried out by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department.
Arrington is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark on $5million bail set by the Honorable Russell Passamano, Judge of the Superior Court.

Arrington is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Thursday, Nov. 10 before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, Criminal Division Presiding Judge.

The three deceased individuals have been identified as:

1. Aerial Little Whitehurst, female, age 8, of Newark;

2. Al-Jahon Whitehurst, male, age 11, of Newark;

3. Syasia McBurroughs, female, age 23, of Cedar Knolls.

The two children were pronounced dead at University Hospital at 4:40 p.m. and McBurroughs was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other victims, a 29-year-old female, a 13-year-old male and a 13-year-old female, who are twins, remain hospitalized in critical, but stable condition.

The investigation is active and ongoing. It is being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Prosecutor’s tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or (877) 847-7432.

Acting Prosecutor Murray commended the US Marshals Fugitives Task Force, Newark Police and the detectives in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their outstanding work in investigating the case and making a prompt arrest of the suspect.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Convicted Cop Killer Sentenced to 60 Years

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that convicted cop killer Rasul McNeil-Thomas, 23, of Newark was sentenced to 60 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Robert Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, for killing off-duty Newark Police Officer William Johnson, 45, of Newark.

He must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA)

Johnson, a 16-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, was ordering a slice of pizza, when he was shot on May 26, 2011.

On Feb. 24, an Essex County jury convicted McNeil-Thomas of aggravated manslaughter for the drive-by shooting at the Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza restaurant on Lyons Avenue in Newark.

“Today Officer Johnson’s family got justice. The sentence imposed by Judge Gardner is appropriate for someone who opened fire on a crowded restaurant, killing one person and wounding two others. This defendant displayed an absolute disregard for human life,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Romesh Sukhdeo, who tried the case with Assistant Magdalen Czykier.

“Officer Johnson embodied the best of the best. He was a longstanding member of the police department. He lived in the community and cared about the community. He knew the people in his neighborhood and they knew him,” said Assistant Prosecutor Czykier.

At trial the state argued that McNeil-Thomas unleashed a hail of bullets on the crowded restaurant aiming at a group of young women who had gotten into a physical fight with his mother and sister at their home earlier in the day. Following the fight, McNeil-Thomas and another man carjacked a Chevy Malibu and used it in the drive-by shooting.

Johnson, the father of two daughters, was shot at approximately 10 pm. He was pronounced dead the next morning at 3 a.m. McNeil-Thomas was also convicted of shooting two other people in the restaurant, a woman with a baby and a man. Their injuries were not fatal.

Following a four-week trial, McNeil-Thomas was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Marissa Tarry and Ashley Lamar, both of Newark. Lamar was shot during the drive-by shooting. Tarry was the intended target but was not shot. She saw the defendant approaching and ran for cover.

McNeil-Thomas was also found guilty of carjacking and conspiracy to commit a carjacking. The vehicle used in the drive-by shooting was carjacked from the driveway of a nearby house. The occupant of the car was sitting in the passenger seat of the idling vehicle when she was ordered out of the car by the defendant and an unidentified co-conspirator. She was not physically harmed.

McNeil-Thomas was acquitted of the more serious offense of murder. He was also found not guilty of endangering the welfare of a child, a charge stemming from the fact that there was a baby in a baby carriage at the time he opened fire on the restaurant.

The jury found McNeil-Thomas guilty of the following charges:

• Conspiracy to commit carjacking
• Carjacking
• Conspiracy to commit murder
• Aggravated Manslaughter
• Two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun
• Possession of a firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against a person or property
• Two counts of attempted murder
• Two counts of aggravated assault
• Reckless aggravated assault

Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Killing Off-Duty Police Officer

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Rasul McNeil-Thomas of aggravated manslaughter for killing off-duty police Officer William Johnson, a lifelong resident of Newark and a 16-year veteran of the Newark Police Department.

Following a four-week trial before the Honorable Judge Robert H. Gardner, Judge of the Superior Court, McNeil-Thomas, 23, of Newark was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Marissa Tarry and Ashley Lamar, both of Newark. Lamar was shot during the drive-by shooting. Tarry was the intended target but was not shot. She saw the defendant approaching and ran for cover.

“This was a senseless and tragic killing of a police officer who simply went to buy a slice of pizza. He was in the wrong place, at the wrong time and caught a bullet intended for someone else,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Romesh Sukhdeo, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Magdalen Czykier.

Officer Johnson, a father of two, was shot on May 26, 2011while ordering a slice of pizza at the Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza restaurant on Lyons Avenue in the city of Newark, just blocks from his home, according to Assistant Prosecutor Sukhdeo. He died from his injuries at 3 a.m. on May 27, 2011.

In court, Assistant Prosecutor Sukhdeo argued that the defendant, seeking retribution because his mother had been punched in the face by a group of girls, decided to go by the Texas Fried Chicken, where the girls involved in the fight were known to hang out, and opened fire on the restaurant.

“We never believed he intended to kill Officer Johnson, but sadly he was killed,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Czykier. “This defendant was aiming for the young woman who assaulted his mother earlier in the day.’’

McNeil-Thomas was also found guilty of carjacking and conspiracy to commit a carjacking. The vehicle used in the drive-by shooting was carjacked from the driveway of a nearby house. The occupant of the car was sitting in the passenger seat of the idling vehicle when she was ordered out of the car by the defendant and an unidentified co-conspirator. She was not physically harmed.

McNeil-Thomas was acquitted of the more serious offense of murder. He was also found not guilty of endangering the welfare of a child, a charge stemming from the fact that there was a baby in a baby carriage at the time he opened fire on the restaurant.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 24 by Judge Gardner. McNeil-Thomas faces life in prison.

McNeil-Thomas was found guilty of the following charges:

• Conspiracy to commit carjacking
• Carjacking
• Conspiracy to commit murder
• Aggravated Manslaughter
• Two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun
• Possession of a firearm with a purpose to use it unlawfully against a person or property
• Two counts of attempted murder
• Two counts of aggravated assault
• Reckless aggravated assault

McNeil-Thomas was acquitted of the following charges:

• Murder
• Attempted murder
• Endangering the welfare of a child

East Orange Police Officer Shot

 Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Police Chief William C. Robinson announced today that Robert O’Neil, 28, of East Orange has been arrested and charged with attempted murder for shooting an East Orange police officer.

At approximately 11:22 a.m. today Sergeant Michael Williams, a 12-year veteran of the East Orange Police Department was patrolling in the area of New Street and North Oration Parkway when he encountered O’Neil. The suspect pulled an automatic weapon on the police officer, shooting him in his lower abdomen. The bullet struck the officer’s bullet proof vest, preventing serious injury.

Sergeant Williams was part of an anti-crime, quality of life unit that works in that area. Williams discharged his weapon but did not hit O’Neil. The suspect was taken to East Orange General Hospital.

O’Neil, who had an open warrant out of Morris County, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, resisting arrest and weapons offenses. He is currently in custody.

The officer was transported to University Hospital in Newark where he was treated and released.

The charges against the defendant are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

On Oct. 1, 2012, for no apparent reason, Suggs open fire on a van carrying four people while they were stopped at a traffic light in the vicinity of Hawthorne Avenue and Osborne Terrace in Newark. McLeod and a young male were shot. Two other people in the van were not hurt.

McLeod and the other victim were taken to the hospital. She was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2012. The man’s injuries were not life-threatening.

In June of this year, an Essex County jury convicted Suggs on all counts. In addition to being found guilty of murdering McLeod, Suggs was also found guilty of conspiracy, weapons charges and attempted murder.

At the time of the murder, Suggs had been released on bail for another offense.

Suggs was identified because witnesses said the shooter was wearing a Giants football jersey with the number 98 on it, according to Assistant Prosecutor Gregg Brown, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Paul Bradley. Three days later Suggs was in court on another matter wearing a Giants football jersey with the number 98 on it. The surviving victims identified Suggs as the shooter.

Suggs has a lengthy juvenile criminal history. As an adult he had been arrested 20 times and he has seven adult felony convictions aside from the murder of McLeod and the other charges from this case.

“Without any regard for human life this defendant opened fire on a van of innocent people stopped at a traffic light, killing one and injuring another. Because he poses a serious and continuing threat to the community, we believe the sentence imposed, which will keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, is absolutely appropriate,” said Assistant Prosecutor Brown.

Suggs would have to serve 80 years before he is eligible for parole.